Islam Rising

by Johnny Jacks

  He switched the TOC to solar power, took his position at the table in front of the wall maps, and thumbed through the activation plan. It was going to be a long twenty-four hours stuck in the TOC alone with Laura. She felt so good against my chest. Jealous? Me? No way. To thine own self be true, Grayson…Damn! Let’s give the lady something to chew on.

  “Laura, your idea to have medical in the TOC on a permanent basis in case of a medical emergency is a good one.”

  Laura smiled at his back. “Since the medical facility is in the adjoining room, I can keep up with activity on all channels, have things ready by the time they get here. Glad you approve.”

  They conveniently ignored the fact that the medical facility had radios for all the channels, and she had her handheld radio with her at all times.

  Grayson gazed at the topographical map on the wall unaware of anything he was looking at. “Make that part of the Standard Operating Procedures.”

  “WILCO, sir,” she cooed.

  Chapter 48

  Man Talk

  Year 14

  Ramirez was digging weeds out of the garden when Grayson arrived. “Hi, Chief. It’s good to see you so active and losing weight.”

  “I feel better than I have in twenty years. Country life and retirement have been good to me, Mama too. How’ve you been, son?”

  “Busy as a one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest.”

  “Mama’s in town on her Wednesday ladies church social and shopping trip. Gives us some time for man-talk. Says it mellows me out. I think she uses that as a trick to get you to visit more often. Let’s grab a beer and sit in the gazebo.”

  “Miss Grace is a smart lady. Chatting with you makes me miss the days our A-team sat around campfires. Nothing like a relaxed non-tactical training event for shooting the breeze, telling tall tales, and passing gas. Remember Bobby Stein? He could fart on command.”

  “Yeah, everybody fought to get a position upwind from him. I enjoyed pulling rank on some poor team member.”

  Ramirez and Grayson immersed themselves in reliving old days and predicting the future, a bond that only comrades-in-arms appreciate.

  “Feeling good about the Patriots, Chief. The last full training day went smooth as a school girl’s silk drawers. Wayne and Mark had everything in order and we only ran into a few hitches. We built a winning team.”

  “It took us long enough to get there, but glad to hear it. Wayne pays us a visit about once a week. Brings Laura every now and then. She usually sits quietly, looking around. I trust everything is going well for you back in Houston.”

  “Everything’s fine, sir,” he lied.

  “Joe dropped by the farm couple of days ago to tell me his FBI contact reported that Murtadha has been traveling back and forth between Mexico and Africa. Apparently, he sneaked across the border into different cities in the Southwest several times.”

  “That’s odd. Why don’t they grab the SOB? What’s your analysis, Chief?”

  “He’s probably using a fake passport to get in and recruit more fighters for ISIS. They’re tearing Africa apart. It doesn’t bode well, whatever it is. Murtadha and his gang could give us problems if they’re in Houston when the collapse occurs, but I’m not concerned about his little group of scumbags.”

  Grayson started to disagree but held off. I wish I agreed. But I can feel that bastard looming. “I’d love to have a few minutes in an empty room with Joe’s Intel source. My gut feeling is we’re only getting a piece of the picture.”

  Ramirez shook his head. “I’m more concerned about how things are moving since the lefties retook control of the government and put us on a downhill slide toward socialism. They’ve destroyed everything President Crump did to restore our capitalist markets. The assholes reinstituted their socialist agenda of tax, borrow, spend, and regulate, forcing millions who were working back on welfare. The borders are wide open again, Muslim refugees are coming in by the tens of thousands, and businesses are closing left and right.”

  “There’s a tension in the air America hasn’t felt since Obama was in office. Only, it’s worse now. With inflation creeping up and the government’s credit rating diminishing, it makes me wonder how long before the collapse hits. It’s clear to me, unmistakable.”

  “Clear as a bell to me, too, son.”

  Ramirez sat back and looked out across the pasture for a while.

  Grayson sipped his coffee and waited.

  “There’s a question, something personal that’s niggled at me for decades, a curiosity. You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to. I won’t be offended.”

  “What is it?”

  “There’s no doubt in my mind about your hate for Mexicans. I’m of Mexican descent and so are Yolanda and Pablo, yet your attitude toward us is genial. It’s odd, and something I’d like to have the answer to before I die.”

  Ramirez frowned when Grayson laughed.

  “Chief, I have no problem with true Americans of any race or skin color and families that come here legally to work, learn English, and assimilate into our culture as genuine American citizens. Muslims and major areas in the U.S. solely populated with illegal alien Mexicans who give us the finger, suck the welfare teats dry, and demand that we allow them to destroy our American culture intentionally, that’s a different story. The thing that gets under my skin is the liberals that promote it and folks like you and me that can’t do a damn thing about it without becoming wanted men.”

  Ramirez reflected on Grayson’s sentiments. “The collapse and die-off will take care of them. Truthfully, I thought your feelings were more personal, after your reaction in court when Fisher pounded you. Most of the Mexican-American families I know have been here a long time, some for centuries, true Americans that feel the same as us. Most put aside speaking Spanish generations ago.”

  Grayson looked down. “I had a personal reason; but, like that bartender said, it’s something between me and the Devil. I let go of it a long time ago…but I haven’t gotten over that bastard, Murtadha.”

  “That’s understandable. Just don’t let settling your score rule your life.”

  Chapter 49

  Rush Limbaugh! Fox News!

  Year 15

  Shannon entered Grayson’s house without ringing the doorbell, a common practice now that Marcie was with him almost daily.

  After Marcie had such a positive reaction to Grayson, he relaxed his rule to stay away from Shannon. The child bonded to him quickly and openly admitted it was because he paid attention to her and she was afraid of her often angry and drunk father.

  At first, Shannon objected to Marcie spending so much time with Grayson, but changed her mind after coming home to find Marcie alone repeatedly and Larry at the club getting drunk. She was relieved to no longer worry about her daughter.

  This day, Shannon arrived home from work earlier than usual, and what she saw shook her to her liberal core. “What the hell are you watching?”

  Grayson and Marcie looked away from the TV to find Shannon’s face the color of her flaming red hair. “Hi, Mom. It’s Fox News. We watch it after listening to Rush Limbaugh. Grayson gets Rush on the Internet without all the commercials.”

  Through squinted eyes and clenched teeth, Shannon ordered Marcie to her room, not realizing the irony of her directive. Marcie hated being excluded adult conversation. “Yes, ma’am,” she said, acid dripping from her mouth.

  For Marcie, there were her mother’s expectations about sending her to her room, and there were her expectations. She closed the door loudly while still in the hallway, eased off her shoes, and sneaked near the open doorway where Grayson and Shannon engaged in verbal combat.

  When they heard her door slam shut, Grayson stood and braced himself for Shannon’s onslaught. “What does she mean, you listen to Rush Limbaugh and watch Fox News?”

  “Shannon, it’s not a big deal. We—”

  “Of course, it’s a big deal! I don’t want my daughter brainwashed by that…conservative compost. You
do it again, and I swear I’ll send her to boarding school.”

  Grayson shook his head and held up his hands in surrender, but a hint of his anger reflected back at her. “I’ve been taking care of your daughter since she was nine, almost four years. All the while, her so-called father sits on his sorry ass or leaves her at home alone.” Trying to regain control, he softened his voice. “Shannon, you know I love Marcie and losing her would not be acceptable. I don’t appreciate you using my feelings for her to try and control me.”

  “I’m her mother and have a right to do as I please with her.”

  He wouldn’t let her pivot to a different subject. “I thought you liberals respected all points of view and encouraged kids to watch the news.”

  “No, Grayson! She’s not just watching the news; she’s watching that stupid conservative propaganda, Fox News! Rush Limbaugh…ugh! I thought he’d be dead by now.”

  “Give me an example of conservative propaganda you’ve heard from either of those news sources—just one!”

  Her anger intensified at his challenge. “I’ve never wasted a second of my time with either of them and never will.”

  Grayson smirked. “Let me understand this. You’re a lawyer. Someone presents a case to you. You analyze it before you determine its veracity. Right?”

  She huffed frustration. “Correct.”

  “You’re prejudging Fox News and Limbaugh without due diligence. You’re accepting hearsay for known facts. You’d never allow that in court. I challenge you to join us and analyze what they say.”

  Shannon hated when Grayson or anyone out-maneuvered her. Off balance, she worked her jaw but couldn’t muster a rejoinder.

  “What is it you fear? Marcie learning there are two sides to a discussion?”

  “I don’t need to take you up on your challenge. There are plenty of other news outlets.”

  “Can you prove they’re telling the truth? Are you afraid to learn they make fools of millions daily?” He gently taunted her. “You’re afraid to analyze their reports, aren’t you; to learn the facts?”

  “I know the facts! And I don’t want my daughter exposed to that conservative crap.”

  Grayson knew the drill. He’d seen it repeatedly in others. Her liberal wall automatically rejected information that challenged her entrenched emotion-based progressive convictions. He wanted her to understand how shallow it was to dismiss conservative positions without analysis.

  His deep, mellow voice, softly laced with a delicate passion, reached out to her. “I love her, Shannon. I love Marcie the same as I love Amanda. She’s like a daughter to me. I would never expose her to anything harmful.”

  In the dark hallway, Marcie grinned and covered her mouth.

  Shannon paced the room, the pressure diminishing with each step, until a book caught her eye. She picked it up. “Absolute Anarchy! Prepper Study Guide.” She slammed the book back on the table and glared at him.

  “I’m a prepper. so what? I have guns and store food. Is that so bad?”

  “Guns!” She closed her eyes and refocused. “We’ll discuss that later. Let’s get back to the subject at hand.”

  “Shannon, I’m not a perfect man, but there’s one thing for damn sure; I want to help Marcie grow into an informed woman. If I stepped outside the bounds of my authority, please discuss it with me in a rational way. I’ll do my best to abide by your wishes.”

  An unexpected warmth saturated her. Grayson took the time to instruct Marcie patiently on many life lessons, helping her to mature and make good choices. He’d instilled in her a sense of responsibility and evolved into Marcie’s protector and teacher—a father figure. I knew this subconsciously. What was I thinking? This man cares about my daughter. Shannon’s face softened and her eyes penetrated deep into his.

  Grayson tensed for the next attack.

  “Damn you, Grayson,” she whispered affectionately. Why couldn’t Larry be like you?

  Marcie stepped into the room and walked to her mother. “Sorry for eavesdropping. Mom, I see through the conservative deceit. I know you teach me the truth. Sorry, Grayson, I didn’t mean to mislead you.”

  Marcie gave Shannon a tight hug while sneaking a conspiratorial look at Grayson over her mother’s shoulder and winked at him.

  Whoa! I gotta watch this kid. She’s too smart for her own good.

  Mustering energy to sound rejected and humble, he followed her lead. “You’re right to listen to your mother. I hope I didn’t mislead you.” Grayson put his hand over his beard and squeezed hard. That’s my girl. Wait! What the hell am I doing? I’m teaching this child to lie to her mother.

  He’d known Shannon’s politics, but it never occurred to him that she wouldn’t allow Marcie to consider other points of view. Without malice, he’d planted his conservative political seeds. Other than gun control and her ACLU hogwash, he’d never considered her political point of view. He should have seen the signs. Would I have allowed someone to plant liberal seeds in Amanda and Daniel?

  The answer was obvious, but the conflict growing in his brain was out of control. With the calamitous situation brewing in America, he had to prepare Marcie and determine how to save Shannon. Not unlike Shannon in the Delgado trial, Grayson had unwittingly stepped across a moral line; but he couldn’t drop it, as she had.

  Regardless of what took place from this point forward, it was a done deal. She had attained critical thinking skill, something devious brainwashing based on emotional reaction could never erase. Marcie would never share her mother’s perception of normalcy.

  Chapter 50

  Adios Hubby

  Year 16

  “Thanks for helping me with the party, Jillian. The kids had a great time, and Marcie will never forget her thirteenth birthday.”

  “I’m happy for her. You too, sis. By the way, where’s the douchebag?”

  Shannon shook her head. “He’s at the club getting drunk.”

  “Sorry I asked. Let’s grab a cup of coffee and talk about the douchebag.”

  Shannon went straight to the heart of what was on her mind. “I’ve run out of ideas. Larry gets more distant every day. He skipped her party. No present, nothing. I don’t understand a parent who doesn’t love his child. Yesterday, she showed him her report card with straight A’s. He looked at it in her hands and grunted, then went back to reading a book. I wanted to slap him.”

  “Maybe you should slap him from time to time.”

  “You can’t fix stupid.”

  “Baby sister, I saw his extreme passiveness when you were dating. He wears his self-indulgent, mama’s boy attitude like a medal of honor. He’s short and has a Napoleonic complex, hungering for attention and adoration. Men like him show their masculinity in absurd ways. Marcie’s thirteen and she’s at least an inch taller than the cretin. That’s got to be a rock in his shoe.”

  “She’s going to be tall like me, maybe taller.”

  “The man—not that he deserves that title—doesn’t care about anyone or anything but himself. His sense of responsibility is lower than whale shit.” Jillian patted Shannon’s hand. “Back in college, you had to choose his classes. I should’ve spoken up back then.”

  “I would’ve rejected your argument. It’s just so odd. It took years to have Marcie, and he acts like a dipshit. She’ll do anything just to get a smile out of him.”

  “That right there is a good reason to dump him. He’s not healthy for her. You and Marcie would be better off without him.”

  “He’s the only man I’ve ever loved.”

  “I’ll reserve comment on that.”

  Shannon didn’t argue her point. “Marcie needs him. He’s the one that made her. If he’d go to family counseling, maybe he’d realize what a gift she is.”

  “Where in God’s great name do you get these ideas? You’re one of the strongest, smartest women I know, but you have a blind spot when it comes to that piece of crap. Mom and Dad were proud of you, and so am I. Larry’s not capable of seeing outside himself. I s
till say you and Marcie would be better off without him.”

  “For Marcie’s sake, I can’t give up on him. Me? I don’t care anymore. Father Flannery says they’ll bond as he matures and mellows out.”

  “Larry may become ripe and rot, but mature to a healthy state, never. But then, I keep hoping you’ll become a Republican.”

  Shannon pushed Jillian’s knee. “That, sister mine, will never come to fruition. Anyway, being strong and smart and a Democrat is no help when it comes to the stranger I married.”

  “All engineers are strange. The problem is his maturity…and his manhood…or lack thereof.”

  Shannon looked at her watch. “I hate to run you off, but I need to get him home before he drinks too much.”

  “You’re more mommy than wife. One last thing before I go. Why didn’t you tell me about the hunk living next door? How long’s he been there?”

  “You just saw him?”

  “I’m not exactly a frequent visitor, thanks to the cretin.”

  “He moved in a few years ago. Marcie invited him to dinner, but Larry got jealous and was rude. I never invited him back.”

  “He looks like the cop who was driving when you got caught in that ride-along. Don’t you despise him?”

  “He is that cop; and I don’t despise him. It’s all in the past. He left police work years ago.”

  “When I drove up, he was cutting his grass in gym shorts and a sleeveless tee shirt, sweating deliciously. You’ve got to introduce me.”

  “Except for a wave and hello in passing and the conversations Marcie has with him, Grayson keeps to himself. He disappears a few days every month. Maybe a job. Who knows?”

  “Grayson, is it? And you know his schedule. Baby sister, you’re smitten. Look at your face!”

  “Am not!”

  “Are too! And Marcie likes him?”

  “Weirdly, they hit it off, like they have some spiritual connection.” Jillian got up to find her keys and looked through the kitchen window. “Mighty close, Sissyyyy.”